Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.
“Hi, Shane. I hate to admit it, but without my Post-it notes for certain situations, I would be lost (Post-it Notes, May 11, 2023). I do use them like a list, so for groceries or needed items in the office that I need to purchase and bring back. Or if I am with clients and need to give them a phone number or address, they will get a Post-it note. I found your column fascinating about socks (Socks, May 9, 2023). I know I am easily amused, but, seriously, sock sock shoe shoe is the way to go. Thanks for the entertainment.” - Beth
Maybe you should put Post-it notes on your socks? –- Shane
“Just wanted to say that I got a kick out of your article on pennies (Zinc discs, May 17, 2023). Just my ‘2 cents.’ ” - Kevin
Keep kicking that penny down the road, Kevin. Just don’t scuff it. - Shane
“Shane, I start my day reading your Daily Umbrella article and a quote from Mathew Kelly’s book ‘Coach.’ Fifty-two years on this earth has taught me one thing in our daily interactions. We leave people a little higher or a little lower (Victim or victor, May 22, 2023). The victors leave people higher feeling empowered to spread the good. The victims leave people lower and focus on the negative. Thank you for starting my day with positivity.” - Jason
Looks like I have a new book to read. Thanks for the note, Jason. - Shane
“Today, you really hit a home run in the Daily Umbrella column (Victim or victor, May 22, 2023). If everyone only had the outlook of the man you described ,we would have taken a BIG step toward improving this great world of ours. I am not often challenged this early in the day, but I will strive to not be a victim today. Keep up the great work and congratulations on your success in making a difference in Des Moines.” - Gary
If we keep swinging for home runs, we might get on base once in a while. - Shane
“Read your Monday morning topic (Victim or victor, May 22, 2023) as I watched Tim Scott announce his presidential bid discussing the same issue: Victim or victor. I support victor. Thanks for your thoughts.” - Carolyn
Unfortunately, in politics, the victor is usually the one with the most money. - Shane
“As usual, you have raised an interesting point for consideration. One size does not fit all. Doesn’t tracking how many hours a person works mean interpretation of many variables unique to each situation (40 hours, May 23, 2023)? Most of my 43 plus fulltime working years, I was on call 24/7. The jobs were 40 to 44 hours per week schedules. Some really harried weeks, co-workers would joke we were ‘only making a nickel an hour today.’ How would that be converted to hours per week for statistical purposes? We were all salaried/contract, so the pay was the same. No overtime, maybe some comp time off. However, we nearly all loved the work. To that point, in those 43-plus years, I always pursued jobs I enjoyed. Twice, I deliberately took cuts in pay to be in a job I enjoyed. Money was important, but it wasn’t the main driver. Many variables go into these changing times!” - Chuck
I have removed both socks, and this still isn’t working. I am going to have to get a calculator. - Shane
“As an old HR hand, the determination of who is a worker is pretty simple (40 hours, May 23, 2023). If you (the employer) tell the person when to work, what to do, and where to do it, that person is a ‘worker.’ ” - William
That’s an interesting concept, William. Very interesting. - Shane
Have a fantastic Friday, and thank for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com | 
